`I`ve Been Lucky,` Says Billie Jean

Assorted volleys and dropshots from Wednesday`s General Foods Champions of Tennis at the PGA Sheraton Resort:

For all her on-court histrionics, Billie Jean King is one of the nicest people you could hope to meet. She is glib, friendly and a dozen other good things.

King the athlete was her old self Wednesday, a bear who played, moved and talked aggressively during the match.

But after the tournament final (King and Ilana Kloss lost to Virginia Wade and Kerry Melville Reid), King the person was delightfully animated, a pleasure to talk with.

``I`ve been lucky,`` King said, ``tennis has given me a lot of self- confidence. It taught me how to survive.

``When you think about it, you realize how important it is that you stay involved in tennis. And I`m talking about the recreational level. Players need to have a local park where they can always find someone to play against. A lot of players never make their school teams, so they need those places. There`s a real void for those kids who never make the varsity. Local parks fill that void.``

What is often forgotten about King is she got her start playing in parks in Long Beach, Calif.

``I grew up on those recreational parks,`` King said, ``I played at five different ones. And without those opportunities, I wouldn`t have had the benefit of a lifetime sport.``

King said her pet project, Domino`s Pizza Team Tennis, has programs for all ages, from 10-and-under to over-60. She said any local pros interested in learning more about Team Tennis recreational programs should call 1-800- TeamTen.

As an example of her commitment to youth and grassroots tennis, King took time before the matches to be with the children for whom Wednesday`s event was held, the kids of the Palm Beach Counties Cities in Schools (CIS) program. Before their matches, King and the other pros conducted clinics for CIS children.

CIS, in its third year, is a non-profit program designed to encourage students to complete their education and prepare for employment.

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Howard Park tennis professional and veteran USTA umpire Roosevelt Thomas of West Palm Beach worked the chair during Wednesday`s consolation match between Maria Bueno-Jeanne Evert Dubin and Rosie Casals-Wendy Overton.

``I saw some high caliber tennis out there,`` Thomas said, ``excellent shots and execution. Just because it was an exhibition-type of affair, it didn`t stop them from playing hard.``

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The consolation match featured two popular area tennis directors -- Overton is the director at Hunter`s Run Racquet Club in Boynton Beach and Dubin is director at Stonebridge Golf and Country Club in Boca Raton.

Bueno and Dubin were forced to retire with a 4-3 pro-set lead because Dubin`s left eye was irritated.

``When we led 3-1, it felt like a tremendous amount of sand was in my eye,`` Dubin said, ``my whole eye watered. I felt like something was in my eye in the last couple games of the first match. It`s unfortunate because I was playing well.``

Exceptionally well against two opponents who haven`t lost a whole lot over the years.

``This was my first real tournament in seven years since I retired,`` Dubin said. ``I have played in the Barry Gibb Love and Hope Festival. . . ``

But, frankly, the Gibb tournaments were celebrity pro-ams, a far cry from facing the likes of Casals and Overton in women`s doubles. Consider Dubin`s partner at the last Gibb event was David Soul, and you understand why playing alongside someone like Bueno was special for Dubin.

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Dubin, oddly enough, can look forward to turning 30 on Oct. 5.

She then will be eligible to compete on the Tennis Classics (30-and-over) series, run by Casals` company, Sportswoman.

``I`m hoping I`ll be invited to some of the Tennis Classics,`` Dubin said.

Casals would gladly welcome Dubin to the tour.

It would be an opportunity to complete what was becoming a very competitive match at the time Dubin was forced to leave the court.

Dubin-Bueno led 3-0 before Casals-Overton fought back to 2-3. Dubin held, then Casals held to 3-4. The match ended with Bueno serving.

``They were playing well and they had the edge,`` Casals said, ``but with no- ad scoring, anything can happen.``